I have an 07 MC and need to replace my original tires. I know that many of you have replaced your 195/55R16 sized run flats with 205/50r16 non run flats, but has anyone used 205/55r16s instead? I think that size would work fine, but my darling husband thinks that the tires will look too big.

What do you guys think??

 

i say go with 215/50/16, its what i have and i love the size

 

I hadn't considered that size....Does it improve ride comfort at all?

 

215/50-16 is a usable size. Tire selection is less but there are some viable choices for street tires. Fits rims 6-7.5", tire diameter 24.4"

In Ultra HP Summer tires-
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 $88 each 300 treadwear
General Exclaim UHP $84 each 380 treadwear
In UHP All Season tires-
Kumho Ecsta ASX $95 each 420 treadwear
Falken Ze-912 for about $80 each (edgeracing.com)
In HP All Season tires-
BF Goodrich Traction T/A V $109 each 440 treadwear
Firestone Firehawk GT2 $120 300 treadwear

Note-
Both 205/50-16 and 205/55-16 are a perfect fit for stock 16x6.5" wheels but one is a little less and the other a little more than stock.

If you look at sidewall height for each-
195/55-16 sidewall is 55% of 195 = 107.25mm tall
205/50-16 sidewall is 50% of 205 = 102.5mm tall
205/55-16 sidewall is 55% of 205 = 112.75mm tall
215/50-16 sidewall is 50% of 215 = 107.5mm tall

If the tire sidewall construction was exactly the same then a taller sidewall would help with comfort but also look taller. In the case of 205/55-16 the sidewall is only 5.5mm taller x 2 which isn't much given stock suspension so appearance would not be a big concern. You can get a little speedo and odometer error but it's small. Any lowering of suspension would be risky with a taller than stock tire like 225/50-16 or 205/55-16.

If you are looking for street comfort for an MC (actually any MINI) and good value with good treadlife, then consider-

General Exclaim UHP (talk to Alex@tirerack.com)
or
Falken Ze-912 (Leo@edgeracing.com)

You can search the tire forum for more threads- many already posted.

 

I am considering these two tire sizes (195/55-16 and 205/55-16) for my new 16 x 7 wheels that I bought from another NAM member (thanks Robin!). Anyone have advice on how the 10mm difference in width will affect MPG?

I am looking at the Falken ZE-912 like minihune suggested above. Any input that people have on those tires would be appreciated also.

Thanks.

 

The 10mm difference is very small if you are using the same tire for comparison. I'd expect very little mpg difference with the 195mm tire having a small <1 mpg advantage if pumped up to about 40 psi and used on longer commutes. For handling the 195/55 has a shorter sidewall so a little better there while the 205/55 is likely to feel a little more comfortable.

Given 16x7 rims- (using Falken 912 as an example)
195/55-16 fits rims 5.5 to 7" wide and weighs 20.4 lb.$81, 24.5" tire diam.
205/55-16 fits rims 5.5-7.5" wide and weighs 22.8 lbs, $74, 25" tire diam.
Your other choice is the same tire in-
215/50-16 fits rims 6-7.5" wide and weighs 22.7 lbs, $81, 24.6" tire diam.

Usually for best fit you use a tire that is not too narrow or wide for the given rim.
195/55 would be good for a 6" rim
205/55 would be good for a 6.5" rim
215/50 would be good for a 7" rim

Wider rims and tires usually mean more weight which is less good for rolling resistance and lower mpg in general. All three of these sizes would work. The 205/55-16 is a bit tall at 25" tire diameter so less wheel gap and not a good choice for a lowered MINI.

The other common size is 205/50-16 which is a little less than stock on tire diameter, about 24.1".

 

Wow thanks for the complete information. So in terms of rolling resistance and total wheel/tire weight it sounds like 195/55-16 would be the way to go for max MPG.

But then since I have 7" wide wheels it sounds like that would not be ideal from what you're saying. So I'm still in a bit of a dilemma as to which size would be best. What would be some possible negative effects of having a 195 wide tire with a 7" wide rim?

Thanks

 

The other factor I see is that there are WAY more 205/55-16 than 195/55-16 tire choices. Hmmm....

 

Yes, each tire size has a different selection mix.

Whenever you want better mpg the tire size and design will be different than if you want better handling or even comfort.

Higher mpg-
You want lower rolling resistance such as 175/65-15 or 185/65-15.
16" wheels start from 195mm tires. Narrow is good. More comfort with softer sidewall and taller sidewalls but handling not as crisp or responsive and grip on cornering is less.

Everything about tire size and construction is a compromise.

195/55-16 will fit on the 16x7 fine but due to wider 7" rim the 195mm tire will be stretched out to the limit of normal mounting. While you can stretch a tire beyond that like using 7.5" rims with the same tire, it's not the best for tire wear or tread use. Wider rims do better with wide tires.

The exceptions to the rule would be-
There are no other sizes available and you must have that tire.
You are purposely selecting a tire and rim width at the limit
You need the tire to fit the rim in such a way to either look wider or to fit under a lowered suspension (better clearance- narrow tire on wider rim).

Since you are trying to go for higher mpg a more narrow tire will be fine rather than wider. If you were trying to choose rims, a 16x6.5" would be the first to consider. 16x7 is OK and popular. 16x6 would be ideal but not as popular so harder to find. Wider rim usually means heavier as well.

Note that if you use higher tire pressures you will be wearing the center tread fastest so watch for that.

The choice is yours. One option is to shop for the tire you want then check the sizes to fit a 16x7 rim. Another choice is to shop for the tire size you want and see what is available in your price range. Both approaches can work.

 

Speaking of tire pressures, what are people running their tire pressures at? Factory settings or higher/lower?

Minihune: Thanks for the thorough information and advice. At this moment in time I am leaning towards the Falken ZE-912 in 195/55-16 but that may change...

 

Here's another twist: The Continental ContiExtremeContact got rated as one of the best all season ultra high performance tires in terms of low rolling resistance. And they come in 205/55-16 but not 195/55-16.

So I wonder if ContiExtemeContacts in 205/55-16 will provide better MPG than the Falken ZE-912 in 195/55-16. I've been reading how some users are reporting decreased MPG when going to the ZE-912. Hmmmm....

 

going with that size your speedo will be reading about 1.8% under the speed it would read with the stock size. That will be the biggest factor you would see in mpg change. But it would just seem lower because your car thinks it went 1.8% less miles then you did. Its possible that running at 1.8% lower rpm would be just slightly more efficient, but it really wouldn't be noticeable.

The 205s would probably look a little better around the 7" wide rim

 

There are many factors to affect mpg in a car.
Biggest is how you drive, how easy you are on the brakes and throttle, and how much urban vs open highway driving you do.

If you have basically not much traffic congestion to deal with and long commutes then differences in tires or tire size would come into some play.

For everyone else these tire choices are similar. Not sure about how much difference the ContiExtremeContacts would make. For $87 each they aren't bad overall but some other UHP All Season tires are better (not tested for mpg)- like BF Goodrich Super Sport A/S about $102 to $108 for 205/50-16 or 205/55-16. The Conti tires have good wet handling.

You can correct for taller tire size and figure for the difference in 1.8% miles vs your odometer reading.

 

FWIW, I did put 205/55-16 tires on my car. I actually ended up buying a set of Bridgestone G009s from Sam's. I absolutely LOVE them! I was truly amazed by how much quieter and more comfortable they were.

I have noticed a small drop in my mileage. It's gone from about 34 mpg to 32 mpg. I don't believe that it's related to my change in tire size though. I think it has more to do with my a/c running hard all of the time in the 105 degree Texas heat.

 

Well since my speedometer reads about 4 MPH fast at 70 MPH, I imagine that going with the 205/55-16 will help correct for some of that speedometer/odometer error.

My present thought is either the General Exclaim UHP or Continental ContiExtremeContact in that size. Both are, while not the top rated tires in their categories, are at least near the top (per the tirerack.com website). And both are top rated by Consumer Reports for low rolling resistance, which hopefully will translate into better MPG. I don't need to necessarily have the top-of-the line performance tire. But I do demand good fuel economy in this day of $4.30+/gal fuel prices. Or at least minimal fuel economy penalty.

Thank you all for your valuable input and information. Especially to you, Minihune.

 

I think your husband is mistaken.

My 2007 R56 MCS with Rota Slipstream 16x7 wheels and Pirelli P-Zero Nero M&S 205/55ZR16 tires:



Lots of wheel gap, no rubbing.

I think I may go with a different brand tire next time.

 

Nice pic... has me California Dreamin'. This makes it easier to envision how the Rota RB's will look on my MC with the 205/55-16 tires.

 

Rota RB:

 

I think your 55/16's make the gap look smaller.

 

I have a set of 205 55 16 Avons for my 04 MCS, they are an excellent riding tire, very good in the rain. YOU do not get the same crisp handling with them as the 195 55 16 run flats. For the Price and the ride these and the UHP's from General are a pretty good deal in the 205 55 16 size

 

9/9/08

It handles somewhat like a truck now... they're on stock rims. I can already feel the grippiness improvement.

1/26/09
now that the crystals are showing, the grip is so much more improved, although I still hate to drive my Mini in any weather colder that -30F, but that's not due to any traction issues...

 

FYI with the stock 155/75-15 tires I was getting 36 MPG on the freeway. Now I am getting 38-40 MPG with the 205/55-16 Exclaim UHP's due to their low rolling resistance. Plus they handle and ride great, especially in the rain. Very satisfied so far in 5K of driving on them.

 

Bridgestone RE960as 205/55/16 on H-sport springs and koni fsd shocks, IE camber plates and the ride is great. Never any problems.

Dan

 

When my 195/55R16's needed to be replaced, I replaced them with 205/55R16 Firestone Wide Ovals. They fit very well, look great, and ride a bit better than the 195/55's.

 

I have finally given in after 3 winters and purchased a set of snow tires and wheels for my 2006 Mini. My Mini dealer is 70 miles away but thankfully, a new Mini dealership is opening here (Allentown PA) summer 2010. My local BMW dealer has a great option for those of us who can't store a set of tires. $249 per year includes storage of the off season tires and wheels and two tire swaps (Spring and late Fall) per year.

My 2006 wheels weren't available (sold out) and I purchased based on the parts associate's recommendation at BMW, 2009 R94 Bridge Spoke wheels with Goodyear Ultragrip 7 Mud and Snow Winter Tires. I was told and confirmed by my Mini dealer salesperson that the wheels are fine. They actually detect flats the newer way (air pressure sensors) but also will detect by rotation for my 2006 Cooper S. So, this is a tire thread and I was wondering how you all felt. The wheels look great. The tires are rated for snow. I paid about $1660 for a set of 4 with thee Winter tires. See next page for photos.